Indore (Madhya Pradesh): In what may be dubbed its 'sluggish approach', Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV), a NAAC Grade A+ accredited university in the state, is facing huge disruptions in its academic and administrative operations as 11 out of 14 dean positions are lying vacant, thanks to the powers that be.
The absence of these key positions has led to delays in vital processes such as decisions on eligibility of students, approval for exam results, PhD procedures and revision of syllabus causing frustration among students, faculty and academic staff.
For several months, DAVV has struggled to fill these critical posts but the situation rather worsened further as four more dean positions were vacated in last two months bringing the total down from 7 in number two months ago to 3 in February. The terms of SK Yadav, Pratosh Bansal, Kanhaiya Ahuja and Ganeshwar Mishra were exhausted in last two months even as no new vacancy was filled.
Now, the only three deans left with the university are Rubina Chaudhary, Rajesh Sharma and Rajnish Jain, all from the university campus. The trio is tasked with looking after the works of 11 other faculties. Despite their importance, the delay in appointing deans has raised serious concerns regarding the university's efficiency and ability to maintain academic standards.
The responsibility for filling these posts rests with the university, which is required to send recommendations to Raj Bhavan for approval. However, DAVV has consistently failed to submit the names for approval with registrar Ajay Verma citing delays in receiving seniority lists from colleges as a major obstacle.
"Despite several reminders, colleges take little interest in sending seniority lists of the DAVV. Their dilly-dallying has stalled appointments in faculties," he said. Deans play an integral role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the university. They are responsible for approval of exam results, deciding eligibility, overseeing syllabus development and participating in key committees such as the Research Degree Committee (RDC).
Besides, they are vital for ensuring compliance with academic and technical standards. Without deans in place, the administrative machinery of the university is faltering and the impact is being felt across departments.
At present, deans are absent for several major faculties, including Science, Social Science, Engineering, Physical Education, Commerce, Home Science, Arts, Education, Law, Ayurved and Life Science.
